Cane Creek State Park offers camping accommodations in south Arkansas with asphalt RV sites that provide water and electric hookups. The park maintains 17 level campsites arranged around a central loop with access to a boat dock downhill from the camping area. Facilities include a modern bathhouse centrally located to all sites. The park sits on a 1,700-acre lake surrounded by mixed hardwood forest typical of the region. Winter camping provides different wildlife viewing opportunities with reduced insect activity compared to warmer months.
What to do
Kayaking through trees: The water trail at Cane Creek State Park Campground offers a unique paddling experience. "You have to walk through thick brush on a slope to reach the water. My husband mostly chose to walk down to the fishing pier and docks. It was about a two minute walk away from our site," notes one camper.
Wildlife viewing: Watch for diverse local wildlife throughout the year. "We were able to watch numerous birds (pileated woodpeckers) and even saw a swamp rat swimming in the lake (resembles a beaver with a skinny tail)," reports a visitor from Memorial Day weekend.
Fishing from dedicated piers: Cast your line from the fishing dock near the camping area. According to visitors, "Cane Creek Lake has great fishing. Clean park. Bring your own firewood."
What campers like
Seasonal experience variations: Winter visits offer a completely different experience than summer camping. One repeat visitor explains: "Nice and clean they have done some upgrades nice new handicap trail from camping area to boat dock, boat, canoe, kayak, and bike rentals no mosquitoes this time of year."
Affordable equipment rentals: Visitors appreciate the reasonable rates for boat and equipment rentals. "You can rent kayaks for very reasonable. Do it! The water trail is unlike any I have seen. Don't miss out on the hiking trails, but watch out for ticks!"
Halloween festivities: The park transforms during fall holidays with decorated campsites. "Halloween brings thousands of visitors each fall. The campsites all decorate for the holiday and everyone wants to see it!" notes a local who grew up in Star City.
What you should know
Insect challenges: Bugs can be problematic during certain seasons. "We did have several fire ant hills that we had to deal with and quite a few red wasps," reports one visitor. Another camper at Merrisach Lake notes, "This was one of the last parks available on the Memorial Day weekend. One of the great things for us was the proximity of some Arkansas State Parks such as Cane Creek."
Electrical limitations: Some sites have power constraints. According to campers: "Our neighbors had issues with their electricity because they were trying to run an air fryer, and it kept throwing the breaker. We ran our box fan without any issues."
Seasonal bug considerations: Plan your glamping near Star City, Arkansas around insect seasons. "It was unbearable because a hurricane had blown in trillions of 'love bugs'. Our visit was during the bugs' mating season. The bugs were so thick that you could not even go outside your camper."
Tips for camping with families
Visitor center activities: "The campgrounds are nice and the visitors center offers fun activities for the kids," reports a local family who frequently visits the park.
Playground facilities: Younger children can enjoy the play areas throughout the park. "The playgrounds are good. The pavilions are clean and the AC works well," notes a former Star City resident.
Multiple recreation options: Family glamping near Star City offers diverse activities. "Cane Creek offers several options like fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, biking, etc. There was a boat dock specific for campers closer to the campsites."
Tips from RVers
Level site features: RVers appreciate the well-maintained pads. "Easy to get into most spaces, flat long, asphalt RV sites. Quiet. Dock is just down the hill from the RV spaces."
Bathhouse proximity: Plan site selection based on bathroom access. "We rode bikes so it didn't take long to get the the restroom," mentions one camper about navigating the campground layout.
Dump station location: Account for the distance to waste disposal. "The dump station is probably a mile and a half from the campground so if you have a grey water tote tank that you pull behind the truck like me, expect a fairly long drive."
